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Monday, April 30, 2007
Mayor hurt, aide killed in shooting spree
By Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre
PANGASINAN -- The Miss San Carlos City coronation night at the city auditorium on Saturday evening turned bloody after two unidentified men shot and injured Mayor Julian Resuello.
Resuello's civilian aide, identified as Jojo Martinez, sustained several gunshot wounds intended for the mayor and was killed in the shooting incident.
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Martinez, during the shooting, reportedly shielded Resuello from the bullets with his body.
Aside from Mayor Resuello, also wounded were his police escort Jaime Almonite, civilian aide Jonathan dela Cruz, and bystanders Alwin Fermin, Paulo Bino, Reyna Muñoz, and two still unidentified others.
The mayor was first brought to the Blessed Family General Doctors Hospital in San Carlos but was airlifted Sunday morning to the St. Lukes Hospital in Quezon City for thorough medical attention.
Vice Mayor Julier "Ayoy" Resuello said one of his father's kidneys was removed. The elder Resuello was also given continuous blood transfusion to compensate for the bleeding.
Ayoy and Pangasinan congressional candidate Rachel Arenas were shaking hands with the audience several meters away from the mayor when they heard gunshots they initially thought were the sound of exploding firecrackers.
San Carlos Police Chief Johnny Bacbac and his men rushed Mayor Resuello to the hospital while other policemen brought Ayoy to the San Carlos City Hall. Arenas was secured by her security escorts.
Police Regional Director Leopoldo Bataoil and Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Isagani Nerez went to San Carlos to oversee the investigation.
A police report said the perpetrators pretended to be part of the crowd and worked their way to Mayor Resuello and his aides. The gunmen could have pointed their guns in between the bodies of unsuspecting people, Nerez said.
PNP Chief Oscar Calderon arrived in the city after Mayor Resuello was airlifted to Manila. He said a coordinated investigation body was organized to see to the case.
"It is unfortunate since Pangasinan and Region 1 is not part of the areas of concern in the country. I challenge the people of San Carlos; this is the time that we should work together. If you have any information, please report it to the PNP immediately," he said.
Calderon said the incident is still considered as an isolated case. He directed the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office to submit its initial findings on Monday. (Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (April 30, 2007 issue)
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